So I was having this thought late, late last night. This was inspired by a very close friend. I was thinking about my friend & actually I have a couple friends like this. But this random thought came to me.

I was thinking about the difference between being a stubborn person & then a strong willed person. I feel we blur the lines between to two. When really there is a major difference between the two!

Being stubborn is being stuck on what you feel is right. Scripture says in 1 Samuel 15:23 – “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and STUBBORNness is as iniquity and idolatry….”

Stubbornness is idolatry?

I started thinking about that. Really being stubborn is a refusal to change based on selfish and limited knowledge or ignorance. You really are putting your self & ideas first. There’s no real humility in being stubborn.

Stubbornness to me is being coupled with rebellion. Its manipulating. Here’s how: You believe You’re right everyone’s wrong. And to prove it you start manipulating others to try and believe your point of view. When in actuality you might have a skewd view of reality. But because of your perception, it’s your reality.

Strong willed doesn’t need the approval of trying to convince others. Strong willed is knowing plainly right from wrong. Our doctrine for example is something to be strong willed with. Its unchanging, know what we believe & feel based on biblical truth.

Truth is absolute when it’s based on scripture.

There’s nothing wrong with being strong willed, just make sure it’s something you’re not being stubborn about. Because you might be wrong…& if you’re wrong on the issue, then you’re not strong willed. To me, if you’re standing on truth, you’re not stubborn. But if you’re standing on something false, you’re not strong willed.

Hey Everyone, I just got out of our staff meeting, and I wanted to share a few thoughts that I think would help our leaders, and volunteers..really this is for anyone, esp in the ministry. If you’ve got a vision for your life, PLEASE READ THIS! But must caution you, it’s very challenging, but it’ll also put a fresh wind in your sail!

1.Take a stand for Greatness :

What is Greatness?

What do consider greatness? If you could be remembered for 1 thing, what would it be?

If you could only do 1 thing with your life & you knew you would not fail, what would you do?

Until you understand what it is, you’ll never sell out. You’ve got to define what greatness is in your life.

2. What’s the original vision God placed upon you as a child?

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraints.”

MEANING: There’s nothing holding them. And if you don’t have anything holding you, esp in your job, more importantly the ministry, then you’ll easily give up.

– Everyday we do our jobs someone’s life is at stake. There’s someone son, daughter, husband, wife, father or mother that we’re dealing with.

4. Listen to your HEART!

From your heart comes words: love, live, spend.

Solomon said, “Above all else…guard your heart.”

Meaning: Out of the wise things he was going to say, the most important was guarding your heart. You love, life, spend, parent, speak from your heart!

– Sometimes we try to suppress this vision because God’s dealing with our heart.

-We can easily change the outside of our ways, we can act the part, but we start getting messed with when God really deals with our heart.

5. SPEAK UP!!

To keep the vision alive- SPEAK UP

” A Goal is a vision you’ve given a voice to.” -Pastor Phil

– This is why people HATE goals.

-When you speak something, you’ve got to follow through.

– If I could do this myself, then it’s probably not God!

-God will not ask you to do something you can do on your own. He wants you to trust in Him!

6. Learn to be Stubborn!

Never give up!!

– Who are people that you admire? – The QUITTERS? NO!!!

**You always admire those who never give up!

L.G. Hardwick, who is the Sr. Pastor of the 5000+ member Christ Church in Nashville, TN. He has been at that church as Pastor for 60yrs. as of this year! He built an amazing church there in Nashville, one of the most prominent in the country. This is what he attributes his success in ministry to:

“My success has been, I’ve outlived all my Critics.”- L.H. Hardwick

Pastor Brendon keeps telling me that we might not be able to outshine a lot of people. You might be more qualified, smarter, & better…You outshine me, but I’ll out last you. I’ll work harder & stay longer.

It also goes back to what John Maxwell says, “Your talent carries you to places your character can’t sustain you.”

I hope this helps someone out. It really gave me a breathe of fresh air yesterday in our staff meeting. I was taking notes like crazy. There are some people you want to follow around with a voice recorder & Pastor Phil is that kind of guy.

Well guys, as everyone found on this past Sunday at ReFUEL we have a new mascot that you’ll be seeing everywhere. It’s weird, crazy, makes absolutely no sense! It’s not your typical lion, tiger, bear or eagle that means strength & all that other jazz! So without any other delay….drumroll please!

ITS A PINEAPPLE! I know, I know, I know….you’re thinking, “WHAT IN THE WORLD?!” Well a pineapple means friendship or welcoming. And at ReFUEL that’s what we’re about, great relationships & welcoming.

So this past Sunday before we break for July, which by the way, ReFUEL during July Sunday nights will be at 5pm-7pm, but it’ll be in the Zone. We’ll be hanging out playing games. Well, sorry for the promo! But these are the songs you all wrote this past Sunday & performed. Group #1 was our winners!

GROUP #1: Juicers

This goes to the tune of Jingle Bells:“Pineapple, pineapple, friendship all the way. We come to ReFUEL because its really cool. So come & join us today – HEY!

Sunday & Tuesday Niiights, we come to hang & learn.
Satan is a fool & Jesus is way, way cool!
Come with us to ReFUEL, cause we’re the pinapples that rule! lalalal hey!

GROUP #2: Pineapple Palms

“Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Joshua O’Bannion (REPEAT MANY TIMES)Who’s the bald, harry & funny guy is he? Joshua O’Bannion.”

GROUP #3: The Standing L’s

“Who’s mascot is a pineapple under the sky? REFUEL YOUR SOUL.It’s orange, it’s green, it’s yummy as can be. REFUEL YOUR SOUL.It’s friendship & fun is something you wish. Then this s the place you get all of this. REFUEL YOUR SOUL. (REPEAT 4 TIMES)

GROUP #4: The Pin Apples

“Pineapple stands for friendship & it’s…juicy, tasty, flavorful & yummy! It’s a pinapppppppple, it makes me feel so good & could just do a dance then sing along.

P-I-N-E-A-P-P-L-E is the treat for you & me.

I’ll have to add you guys music videos if someone taped them. You guys are so much fun, I’ll be looking forward to hanging with all of you on Sunday nights during July. DON’T MISS IT!